WHO IS READY FOR NAPEO’S CFO & PAYROLL SEMINAR?

As the days grow longer (in a good way) and the allure of beach and pool season beckons, the PEO industry is getting ready for NAPEO’s CFO & Payroll Seminar, scheduled for July 23-24 in the bustling city of Louisville, Kentucky. Against the charming backdrop of the reimagined Louisville Marriott Downtown, industry leaders, finance executives, and payroll professionals will assemble to explore the latest insights and trends shaping the continually evolving industry we all love.

Our journey towards the seminar has been marked by recent successes, including the triumphant conclusion of the PEO Capitol Summit. From the resounding achievements of our lobbying and grassroots efforts to the second annual National PEO Week, our industry is propelled forward by a palpable sense of momentum and excitement.

The significance of the July seminar cannot be overstated, particularly as we witness the evolution of payroll and accounting within the PEO sphere. While our core function has always been centered around payroll and ensuring tax compliance, the scope has positively expanded over the years. Payroll and accounting professionals now also find themselves at the forefront of things like IT security and compliance, acting as the first line of defense against potential liabilities and uncertainties. They now are having more strategic discussions, sitting at the table, making decisions, side by side with other key executives.

In a landscape where payroll fraud and legislative complexities loom large, the role of payroll and accounting professionals has become more vital than ever. The intricacies of managing payroll across multiple domestic jurisdictions, particularly in the era of remote work, present unique challenges that demand a strategic approach. It’s no longer sufficient for even small PEOs to operate locally; instead, they must navigate the complexities of being multi-state employers. In a few years I can see us having a session at this conference on international payroll as that has become a more commonplace ask by clients of PEOs.

In most industries, clients aren’t talking to your accountants, finance and payroll people… in our industry, they do. This means those teams need to have a more well-rounded understanding of PEO than most of our other departments. Their intimate knowledge of clients’ needs positions them as partners, integral to the success of the businesses they serve.

It’s also worth noting here the essential work of the Accounting Practices and Finance & Audit Committees and subcommittees as well as the value of NAPEO’s FROS. These groups and initiatives play very different but crucial roles in discussing, collecting, putting together and/or summarizing everything accounting, payroll, P&L and more, providing invaluable insights that inform strategic decision-making within the industry, as well as our individualized companies. I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you and your PEO to participate in the FROS. You can contact NAPEO’s COO, Farrah Fielder (ffielder@napeo.org), to learn how.

With all this work talk, let’s leave on one or two of the many fun options (in addition to NAPEO’s Evening Event at Churchill Downs) that you can mix into your trip to Louisville for the seminar. Now, I can’t say I am a bourbon drinker but as a longtime lover of thoroughbred horses, stay an extra day or two to enjoy one of the many great horse tracks that Kentucky has to offer. Horses have always been majestic creatures to me that bring me back to some of my good times as a kid spent with my Dad, who I still miss dearly every day.

In conclusion, the upcoming CFO & Payroll Seminar represents a timely moment for the PEO community. As we continue to adapt and innovate, it’s imperative that we recognize the integral role of payroll and accounting professionals in driving our industry. By leveraging their expertise, building partnerships, and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead, we can navigate the complexities of our evolving landscape with confidence and resilience.

Riders up!